Forster nearly doubles up at IHRA World Finals
Forster wins Hot Rod, runner-up in Quick Rod during championship tournament
NORWALK, Ohio (October 29, 2012) – Sometimes it is best being the man everyone least suspects.
Just ask Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania native Patrick Forster.
Sure
Forster had a formidable resume already entering the 2012 Summit Racing
Equipment Tournament of Champions presented by AMSOIL, but his 2012
performance left little to strike fear in the competition, at least in
the world of Hot Rod. Yes Forster was one of only six drivers to qualify
for the tournament in two different classes, but he barely managed to
sneak into the field in Hot Rod and looked as if the only class in which
he stood a real chance at success was in Quick Rod.
Patrick Forster won the IHRA Hot Rod World Championship in Memphis
As it turns out, both were to his liking.
With
no real expectations and a "see what happens" attitude, Forster went
9-1 on race day and reached the final in both classes, winning the Hot
Rod World Championship and finishing runner-up in Quick Rod. While
Forster wasn't able to complete the historical championship sweep, his
performance in the tournament proved that Forster is a dangerous racer
and that he has picked up quite a bit of racing prowess from his friend
and teammate, 2012 IHRA Sportsman Driver of the Year Jacob Elrod.
"Looking
back, the weekend is a bit of a blur. Not just because of the win, but
also running two races in one day," Forster said. "To be honestly I
really hadn't given much thought to my season coming in. I was having so
much fun enjoying my teammate Jacob's historic year and I didn't even
qualify the Hot Rod car until the last race. So I really didn't feel
like I had anything to prove. I was just out there having a good time."
And that "good time" led to one incredible day, none of course bigger than his run through the field in Hot Rod.
After
squeaking into the TOC via a third place finish in the Division 3
standings Forster found himself up against the very tough Donald Webb of
Four Oaks, N.C. in the final and needed a near-perfect light to help
him take the breakout victory over his opponent. Forster, behind the
wheel of his unique '78 Monza, had a .008 light and ran just .012 off
his dial with a 10.912/140.28 while Webb, finishing runner-up for the
second year in a row, had a .030 light and finished with a 10.874/125.25
on a 10.90 dial in his familiar '70 Nova.
"When
you come to a race like this every driver you face can put you in the
trailer. They are all really good," Forster said. "Having both cars in
the final actually helped keep me calm and focused. There really wasn't
any time to think. It was just buckle up, hit the tree and drive. In the
final Don Webb is such a great champion and a really tough competitor,
but I knew my car would be right there so as long as I hit the tree I
knew I would have a chance."
Forster qualified for the Tournament of Champions via a third place finish in Division 3
Prior
to the tournament Forster had just one win in Hot Rod in 2012 coming at
the very last Division 3 race of the season at London Dragway. But that
win was enough to push Forster over the edge and into the field and a
win that ultimately meant the difference between sitting at home and
hoisting his first career IHRA World Championship.
"I
have been driving on and off for about 15 years and teamed up with Dave
(Elrod) and that team about eight years ago. We have won division
championships, but my previous best nationally had been sixth place,"
Forster said. "This win, quite honestly, is a bit surreal. I am not sure
if it has actually sunk in, but it has been a lot of fun. My phone and
email has been blowing up with congratulations from friends that I
didn't even know followed my racing reaching out to say hi.
"But
the part that's been most satisfying for me is winning it with Dave.
This is the first time in over 40 years the guy hasn't been behind the
wheel of a racecar and I know it was difficult for him to watch at
times. Seeing how happy he was when I pulled up after winning was great.
He is such a critical part of this championship as well as Jacob's
driver of the year award."
Forster
began his quest for the Ironman with a close win over the man he beat
out to finish third in the division Skip Saddler, a win he gained
through a .012 light that meant the difference at the other end. In
round two Forster took out another divisional champion in Steve Dweck as
Dweck fell asleep at the tree and in round three David Bills fell
victim when he ran .012 over the index.
Forster battled Donald Webb in the Hot Rod final
In
the semifinal round Forster faced perhaps his toughest round of the day
in a double breakout win over Max McGlothin as Forster ran .006 over to
McGlothin's .012. In the other semifinal Rick Baehr went .006 red to
allow Donald Webb to advance to the final.
"IHRA
has really put something special together with the TOC. It's just so
much fun and really exciting to be a part of something that draws racers
from all over the country and knowing that every one you run against is
really good and has had a great year," Forster said. "While we didn't
have a traditional championship season, the cars were fantastic all
weekend and really all year. We use the best parts and products so the
cars area always consistent and reliable."
But
of course Forster's day wasn't over just yet. Moments after taking the
win light in Hot Rod Forster had to zoom around the facility back to the
staging lanes where his Quick Rod car awaited a shot at a second
championship. Unfortunately for Forster, a bit too much adrenaline after
winning one championship was coursing through his veins and the
champion went .012 red allowing young 17-year-old Corey Manuel to take
the Quick Rod title.
"Maybe
I should have celebrated for a few minutes first because I was clearly a
little more pumped up than I realized and went way red," Forster joked.
"But as a whole we couldn't have asked for a better weekend and a big
part of that is my sponsors. First a huge thank you to Sunoco Race
Fuels. Also I wanted to thank Bazell Race Fuels, Moser Engineering,
Abruzzi Transmissions, Tom Fisher for the killer Hot Rod motor, PAR
Racing Engines, Hoosier Tires, Quick Fuel Carburetors, Mobile 1 Racing
Synthetic Oil, East Coast Auto Electric, TCI, Milodon, Moroso, Weld
Racing Wheels, American Race Cars, DJ Safety and Sterling Chassis.
